Posted on Tue, Nov. 25, 2003
Keller rideless for 2004
Busch team sponsorship deal falls through
By JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer
The Charlotte Observer/Davie Hinshaw
Jason Keller celebrates in victory lane after winning the 1-866-RBCTerm.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at North Carolina Speedway near Rockingham, N.C. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002.
In a matter of weeks, the fortunes of NASCAR Busch Series veteran Jason Keller have changed dramatically.
During the Rockingham, N.C., race weekend, Keller's team co-owner, Keith Barnwell, said he was "99.9-percent sure" a sponsor had been located for Keller's No. 57 Fords at ppc Racing and both he and Keller were excited about the prospects for the 2004 season.
Now, less than two weeks since the season finale at Homestead, Fla., Keller has learned the sponsor deal for his team has yet to materialize and he is left – at least for now – without a ride next year.
"I'm left kind of clueless right now," said Keller, 33, who finished fifth in series points this season, with one win and two poles. "I wish I had more options for myself.
"I made a commitment to this deal and this team three or four weeks ago, that we were going staying together next season. Now, everything is up in the air."
In recent seasons, Keller has been a consistent force in the Busch Series.
In the three seasons preceding this one, Keller finished second, third and second in points. He has 10 career wins and 11 poles.
For much of the 2003 season, ppc Racing was struggling to find sponsorship for both of its teams for 2004 and Keller began exploring several other options.
Late in the season, when ppc appeared to have secured sponsors for both teams, Keller stopped looking around and concentrated on trying to win the 2003 title.
Now he finds himself looking again, but believes there are few options available.
"Most of the things I was looking at before, they have already all been put into place," Keller said. "I would have loved if everything had worked out like it looked like it would.
"We were a little behind schedule because the most recent deal was late in coming. But now its late November and the prospects of finding something or getting something done are even less.
"I feel like a deer staring into headlights right now, not knowing where to turn."
Keller rideless for 2004
Busch team sponsorship deal falls through
By JIM UTTER
ThatsRacin.com Writer
The Charlotte Observer/Davie Hinshaw
Jason Keller celebrates in victory lane after winning the 1-866-RBCTerm.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at North Carolina Speedway near Rockingham, N.C. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002.
In a matter of weeks, the fortunes of NASCAR Busch Series veteran Jason Keller have changed dramatically.
During the Rockingham, N.C., race weekend, Keller's team co-owner, Keith Barnwell, said he was "99.9-percent sure" a sponsor had been located for Keller's No. 57 Fords at ppc Racing and both he and Keller were excited about the prospects for the 2004 season.
Now, less than two weeks since the season finale at Homestead, Fla., Keller has learned the sponsor deal for his team has yet to materialize and he is left – at least for now – without a ride next year.
"I'm left kind of clueless right now," said Keller, 33, who finished fifth in series points this season, with one win and two poles. "I wish I had more options for myself.
"I made a commitment to this deal and this team three or four weeks ago, that we were going staying together next season. Now, everything is up in the air."
In recent seasons, Keller has been a consistent force in the Busch Series.
In the three seasons preceding this one, Keller finished second, third and second in points. He has 10 career wins and 11 poles.
For much of the 2003 season, ppc Racing was struggling to find sponsorship for both of its teams for 2004 and Keller began exploring several other options.
Late in the season, when ppc appeared to have secured sponsors for both teams, Keller stopped looking around and concentrated on trying to win the 2003 title.
Now he finds himself looking again, but believes there are few options available.
"Most of the things I was looking at before, they have already all been put into place," Keller said. "I would have loved if everything had worked out like it looked like it would.
"We were a little behind schedule because the most recent deal was late in coming. But now its late November and the prospects of finding something or getting something done are even less.
"I feel like a deer staring into headlights right now, not knowing where to turn."
